THE LOCATION

Nestled in the heart of Tenterden, The Print House Inn is a 16th-century gem that seamlessly blends historic charm with contemporary comforts. If you haven’t explored the town before, be prepared for lots of indie shops, cute coffee houses alongside some rather nice high-street brands too like Space NK and Mint Velvet. We came pre-Christmas and managed to tick off presents for all ages as well as a new wardrobe overhaul – we are looking at you Blossom Home.

Coming by car, it is easy peasy as you can park directly outside of The Print House or get a train to Headcorn station and taxi in from there. You could also bring your bike or hire electric ones locally so you can explore the local vineyards on your doorstep. Chapel Down Winery is just over two miles away so that should be first on your list to visit alongside other local favourites like Gusbourne and Biddenden.

You will also find lots of other Kentish wonders on your doorstep including the Kent and East Sussex Railway which takes you from Tenterden Station to Bodiam Castle in a steam train. Other National Trust wonders such as Scotney Castle, Smallhythe Place, Sissinghurst Castle Garden are within easy driving reach too so don’t hurry home if you can linger on.

THE LOWDOWN

Formerly known as The William Caxton, the pub has undergone a significant transformation under the stewardship of Seonaid Dixon and her late husband, Andrew, reopening its doors in April 2023 with a fresh identity and ambiance.

The inn’s new name pays homage to William Caxton, as he was the first person to bring the printing press into the country and he came from Tenterden, so The Print House is an apt tribute to his work.

This rich heritage is thoughtfully reflected throughout the inn, with each of the six boutique bedrooms bearing names associated with the printing trade, such as ‘The Typesetters’ and ‘The Proofing Room’. With an antique writing desk in the master suite, the creativity of the place could just get the better of you, and this could just be the start of your first masterpiece.

THE VIBE

Seonaid is a natural host having managed Airbnb properties for many years plus she worked in luxury safari camps in Africa, so she knows how to make people feel at home, wherever they may be in the world.

Items of furniture in the prettily decorated snug area have been sourced from Seonaid’s travels and homelife. One armchair we coveted belonged to her father from her childhood home so there is a real element of genuine hospitality here. Too often you come across generic pubs with no authenticity that are part of a chain, but this is very much NOT the case here.

Locally made, Oast & Rye diffusers are strategically positioned around as well as their luxurious bath products. We are already a big fan of this sustainable, vegan-friendly and refillable brand as they are known for their elegant masculine aromas which adds to the boutique hotel vibes. I may have purchased the Bay & Rosemary candle to take home with me.

We also love the fact that there are four dog-friendly rooms for well-behaved pooches so a stay with your beloved pooch will cost you an additional £15 a stay with beds and food bowls provided.

Beyond the winter months, you will want to seek out the south-facing walled garden which has ample space for children to roam plus the Outdoor cinema nights are a big hit too with customers come Summer.

SCOFF & QUAFF

I know you hear it a lot but there is a genuine farm-to-fork approach with the menu constantly changing with the seasons: heritage varieties of fruit & vegetables come from local suppliers and free-range chickens, grass-fed beef, lamb and game are from Kent, Sussex and British farmers. Where possible their fish is caught from the day boats landing in Folkestone, Rye & Hythe in Kent.

Talking of local producers, my girl mate and I shared a chilled bottle of Gusbourne Brut by the fire in the snug before supper which felt super indulgent and cosy before being whisked to our table in the panelled dining room. The octopus starter was strongly recommended by Seonaid and did not disappoint with its beautiful intricate presentation – we’ll let the photos do the talking.

My friend plumped for the Chicken Liver pate which is her steadfast move if on the menu, so is somewhat of a self-bred connoisseur on these matters and was delighted with the smooth parfait alongside a tangy marmalade to cut through the flavours with the essential part – crispy Melba toast for that essential crunch/creamy juxtaposition.

It was Steak Night at The Print House so we could not ignore the sizzling platters coming past so we opted for two fillet steaks with Bearnaise sauce on the side with French frites and a crispy salad. We did ask for Medium-rare and it was extra pink on the inside which worked well for us but one to consider if you are particular about your meat.

You would think that there would be no room for an orange flavoured Bread & Butter pudding with chocolate sauce but yes, we clashed spoons to get the last mouthful of what felt like a gourmet homage to the Jaffa cake.

If you are not after the hearty meal experience mid-week, you should know about the recently launched Lighter Lunch experience on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (12pm – 3pm) with smaller dishes on offer rather than a full-on gastronomical affair. We’re talking seasonal soups, chicken pie, bowl of mussels and crusty bread all at reasonable prices. It was a full dining room on the day we (reluctantly) checked out so it is obviously going down well with the punters.

PILLOW TALK

Should you wish to stay the night, you’ll find six boutique bedrooms, individually designed, offering the perfect blend of historic charm and modern comfort. I stayed in the Author’s Suite (another nice nod to the building’s printing heritage) situated in the oldest part of the 600-year-old building which ticks all the boxes for a quintessential pub stay.

We’re talking original oak beams, a luxurious king-size bed, cosy wood-burning stove at the end of your bed and even a freestanding copper bath so it is worth booking this one for your next romantic escape. You’ll also find luxurious toiletries from Oast & Rye in every room so it is a given that you will leave smelling utterly wonderful.

The Print House Continental Breakfast is included in your room booking but if you fancy a cooked breakfast, this can be done for a small supplement. It is a clever decision as you don’t always automatically want a heavy breakfast the next day, so we lapped up the freshly baked pastries with Granola, Greek Yoghurt and fruit compotes plus there is a platter of cold meats and cheeses if you are still feeling peckish.

If you need to leave earlier or you would prefer to have a little privacy, it is worth knowing that you can order a breakfast box the night before to enjoy in your own room.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Keep an eye on the schedule as Seonaid is always craftily thinking of ways to lure you back including Alpine themed nights in the winter nights as well as there’s jazz Sundays, wine tastings, Ladies Who Lunch Club and a vast TV screen in the garden which shows most of the sports games.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

GOOD FOR? Take a loved one for the ultimate love-in in the Author’s Suite. If romance is not calling, go with a group of friends and book out all six rooms for a big gastro get-together. There is so much on your doorstep that you can take advantage of if want to delve a bit deeper into Kent.

NOT FOR? There are no twin rooms so you if are anti sharing a bed, then you may need to look elsewhere.

THE DAMAGE

Bedrooms start at £149 for the night (including continental breakfast) and starters are around the £8 mark; mains range from £20 to £30 and puddings from £8 to £10.

The Print House, 11 West Cross, Tenterden High Street, TN30 6JR, theprinthousetenterden.com, management@theprinthousetenterden.com, 01580 231103

Review: The Print House Inn, Tenterden

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